heath government and issues
- Created by: evieeee
- Created on: 29-02-20 11:44
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- 1970, Heath election
- key information
- labour were expected to win
- but labour actually lost nearly a million votes since 1966
- But Tory Edward Heath gained 43 more seats
- by 1970 it was clear that Labour's record had been patchy
- long term problems of competitiveness
- industries were old fashioned and could not compete in terms of productivity or cost with over-sea rivals
- labour were expected to win
- divisions in labour
- economic problems
- unemployment was high
- inflation not controlled, retail prices had risen by 33%
- unemployment in mining and manufacturing which labour were expected to protect
- Wilson had been accused of lying when he said devolution wouldn't affect the £ in your pocket
- it did lead to higher prices of imported goods
- splits re-emerged
- left of party accused leaders of maintaining needs of financial sector at expense of ordinary people
- many left disliked diplomatic support Wilson gave to USA in war against communist in north Vietnam
- need for cuts in spending felt like a betrayal to many supporters
- trade unions disliked proposals to restrict union power
- membership had fallen
- labour lacked idealism and commitment to working class
- lead by Harold Wilson
- economic problems
- appeal of conservatives
- Edward Heath personality
- grammar school educated
- modern and didnt tolerate old-fashioned, racist ideas
- sacked Enoch Powell for an anti-immigration speech from shadow cabinet 1968
- clear policies which appealed to middle-class voters
- passionate for joining the EEC
- many saw essential for Britain future
- policies
- gap between ideologists of the parties had grown since Butskellism
- heath proposed less govt intervention
- fewer attempts to control wages and prices
- many tax payers disagree with maintaining industries
- appeased powerful unions not confrontation
- Edward Heath personality
- key factor
- Heath - not a charismatic figure and was cold and stilted
- Wilson was better on TV
- but Tories were united behind his determination of modernising the trade unions
- Europe was not a controversial issue at this point
- liberal vote fell slightly
- trade union issue gave them a cause
- Heath - not a charismatic figure and was cold and stilted
- Heath's government and problems
- industrial relations and trade unions
- 10.9 million days lost to strike in 1970 to 23 million in 1972
- inflation
- war in the middle east in 1973 raised prices
- subsidising failing governments
- EEC entrance
- had to accept some unfavourable terms
- exports more expensive
- 1971, America changed policy towards exchange rates
- let the $ fall in value, this meant BR exports were more expensive
- 1971, America changed policy towards exchange rates
- industrial relations and trade unions
- industrial relations importance
- very influential
- leaders were determined to resist what they saw as class-based restrictions
- militant trade unions wanted to bring down Heath's government
- defficult to stop inflation and to prevent wage led inflation
- Britain couldn't benefit from EEC is costs were not competitive
- governments policy
- 1971 introduced the Industrial relations act
- gave government right to insist on 60 day cooling period before a strike was called
- insist that all unionists were balloted about a potential strike
- new industrial relations commissions was created
- negotiate and avoid strikes
- 1971 introduced the Industrial relations act
- very influential
- problems in the coal industry
- January 1972, 280 000 coal miners went on strike
- threatened heating and power supply
- led to power cuts and govt surrender
- wanted a huge pay rise of 47%
- were eventually rewarded with a pay rise higher than the inflation
- importance
- weakened govt strategy to reduce inflation
- showed the power of miners and effectiveness of methods
- showed how alarmed governments were over picketing action and the use of 'flying pickets'
- rule of law being challenged
- others followed the miners in making wage claims
- January 1972, 280 000 coal miners went on strike
- clash of 1973
- november - oil prices led to higher price rises
- miners began an overtime ban
- there were several options
- 1. accept wage rises and risk greater inflation
- 2. leave negotiations to National Coal Board, risk another strike
- 3. introduce emergency powers
- heath went with option 3
- industry and business could only have access to electricity for 3 day week
- 50mph speed limit to reduce peterol
- TV stop broadcasting at 10;30 to save electricity
- heath got a mandate for these measures and to force through industrial relations reform by holding an election
- he lost, labour got 4 more seats
- key information
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